How to create fast fur in Photoshop

Objective: We will use Adobe Photoshop Smudge tool to add realistic furry edges to a piece of art.

1. Load Illustration that needs more fur and have reference handy. (Duplicate the art layer and lock original)

2. Set up ‘fur’ brush.

Smudge tool.

Natural Brushes- Stipple 43 pixels (reset size to 120) Strength 38%

3. Drag smudge tool with scatter brush across art to create fur effect. (Adjust size of brush and strength as needed to achieve desired look. Smaller brushes make finer fur like on the ears)

4. Clean up areas where we didn’t want fur. (like on the eyes, good thing we kept the original art)

Note: This technique works well for furring out the edges of large color shapes. Using this smudge technique in combination with adding some brushed fur with on top with a multi-point brush can take it to the next level.